The Executive Thank You Letter: A Key Component of the Job Search

When it comes to an executive job search, there are so many items job seekers must check off their “to do” lists. Polish their LinkedIn profiles, increase their commitment to networking, modernize their résumé, ensure their online “brand” is optimally presented, develop targeted cover letters, prepare for interviews — the list goes on and on.

With such a lengthy list, many job seekers lose steam when it comes time to saying thank you for the interview. Will a quick and simple “thanks for your time” via email do the trick? Very likely not. These days, there are hundreds of qualified candidates – both active and passive (meaning already employed and not looking)—that are under consideration for most sought-after, executive-level jobs. With such stiff competition, a more formal “thank you” note could be one of the things that sets you apart.

What goes into a thoughtful executive thank you note?

Simply saying “thanks for meeting with me” is perhaps not worth saying at all, and, in fact, might only serve to negate the positive impression you made in person. When crafting your thank you note, keep in mind the following critical elements:

Employ a professional tone and approach

Customize your content to the company’s requirements – be sure to include any specific pain points you will immediately address once hired

Reiterate your expertise

Express your interest and sincerity

Balance detailed content with a brief delivery—in other words, keep it relatively “short and sweet”

Now that you have written your thank you letter, how should you send it? A hand-written note is a nice gesture that can further personalize the interview experience. That having been said, in today’s fast-moving world, a handwritten thank you note might take days to reach the hiring organization’s mail room, let alone the desk of the intended recipient. What’s more, an email received within 24 hours of the interview will demonstrate your organizational skills and ability to follow through in a timely manner.

For more tips and advice to help you with your executive job search click here.